Isn’t the adjective ‘powerful’ in reference to a group responsible for improving and expanding our transportation infrastructure a tacit admission that politicians use such positions to further their own interests?
These guys never want to call it a day and retire.
A Minnesota congressman for 36 years dies in his HOME in Potomac, Maryland. Par for the course
Minnesota, OBERSTAR: “GOD HELP YOU” IF YOU DON’T SUPPORT GAS TAX INCREASE
Congressman Jim Obserstar, who serves as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, proposed legislation on Wednesday that would raise the federal gas tax by 5 cents.
During the press conference on Wednesday, Oberstar lectured people who may not support a 5 cent gas-tax increase. Please watch the video clip below.
Obserstar had 67 EARMARKS in the Highway fund in 2007... NOT ONE EARMARK BUILT A BRIDGE OR ROAD... OR REPAIRED A BRIDGE OR A ROAD.
http://www.startribune.com/191/story/1378267.html
For example, on July 25 — a week before the bridge collapse — Oberstar issued a press release announcing his latest coup for Minnesota.
He had obtained more than $12 million for his home state in a recently passed House transportation and housing bill. Commuter rail was the big winner, getting $10 million. The Cambridge-Isanti Bike/Walk Trail got $250,000, and the KidsPeace Mesabi Academy in Buhl got $150,000. Only $2 million went for meat-and-potatoes road improvements.
Not a penny was slated for bridge repair.
According to Wikipedia, he was a “pro-life Democrat” and Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, though he lost pro-life support after voting for Obamacare.
Oberstar died at his home in Potomac, Maryland. congresscritter from minnesota, maryland?
He was a “pro-life Democrat.” I.e., he was against abortion, except when a woman really wanted one.
Bye...Oberstar. I still want to know why you didn’t live in Minnesota.
He was referred to, quietly, by those who knew him, as “Big Papa Pork”. Even some of his staff members called him that behind his back.
I met him on many occasions. We agreed on almost nothing politically (except he was moderately pro-life as the article mentioned).
Cause of death: Starvation. He was disconnected from the federal teat when he lost his seat.
However:
Never heard of him, which is crazy considering how long he was there, but he'e a prime example of why term limits are needed.
**Oberstar, a Democrat,**
Now to put a Republican in that spot.
“who represented northeastern Minnesota for 36 years..”
I can assure everyone that Oberstar was a left-wing piece of garbage who delivered stolen tax dollars to the leftist scum in northeast Minnesota.
Obarstar should have been hanged for treason years ago.
R.I.P.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!